Lifetime Achievement Awarded at in-cosmetics
Kevin Gallagher, Croda International PLC’s recently retired president of Global Personal Care and Actives was announced as the winner of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at this year’s in-cosmetics exhibition in Paris, France.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the outstanding professional accomplishments of individuals who have made a significant impact on the cosmetic and personal care industry and is handed out only once every three years. The Award attracted entries from all corners of the globe and Kevin was shortlisted by a panel of industry leaders for a public vote. He was revealed as the winner of this coveted award at a ceremony at the Paris Exhibition, Porte de Versailles on 13 April 2016 amongst tough competition from the other two finalists – R. Randall Wickett of R. Randall Wickett Consulting and Patrice Bellon, President of the French Society of Cosmetic Chemists, both of whom are highly regarded within the industry.
Kevin Gallagher’s illustrious career with Croda spanned almost four decades and he left a lasting legacy of innovation within Croda’s business and the industry itself, on his retirement in January 2016. He began his career with Croda as an applications chemist in 1978 and held positions in R&D, QA, Sales and Marketing before moving into general management in 1989. He became the first President of Croda’s Global Personal Care and Actives when the group structure was changed in 2014.
He was at the forefront of the industry’s move from animal to plant derived ingredients and spearheaded many of the activities that have ensured Croda’s continued leadership in sustainability. This includes two notable achievements; the RSPO Supply Chain Certification of all relevant Croda sites to handle Certified Sustainable Palm Oil derivatives; and the largest investment in sustainable innovation to build the first plant of this type in North America, that will manufacture a 100% bio-based range of products, by using ethylene oxide derived from bio-ethanol.
Kevin is a co-inventor on seven patents held by Croda that have resulted in highly successful products. His commitment and passion for the industry has continued into his retirement where he has established Kevin Gallagher Consulting LLC, advising companies including Croda on developing strategies. He remains an independent director on the board of P2 Sciences, a renewable speciality chemicals company as well as serving on the chemical engineering advisory board at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
Speaking of his award, Kevin Gallagher said “winning the Lifetime Achievement Award is a wonderful accolade that recognises true innovation and commitment to the industry. I am proud of my career with Croda and for having been an important part of the global leadership team that created the most successful personal care ingredients”. Croda’s President of Global Personal Care and Actives Sandra Breene added “Croda is immensely proud of Kevin achieving the award and its well-deserved recognition from the industry. This award speaks volumes to both Kevin and Croda’s unyielding efforts to strive for sustainable innovation in the Personal Care market.”